Pheromone products have long been advertised by sketchy companies as a way to make yourself "irresistible" to men or women... but is there any truth to these claims?
Since the early 90's, marketers and companies have come forward with claims that their colognes and perfumes have a special ingredient: pheromones.
They claim that these types of products are able to make men or women more attractive to the opposite sex.
What are pheromones?
Pheromones are odorous smells that are excreted to the skin and hair, and are known to affect the behavior of other animals from the same species. They were discovered in the early 50's, when scientists were making up a term to describe how insects were "communicating" with eachother through smell. Pheromones are also known as ectohormones, as they operate outside the body.
They have been proven to exist in many mammalian and insect species as a way for them to attract mates, leave food scent trails, guide swarms, and other instinctual survival and reproductive processes.
However, when it comes specifically to human pheromones, scientists tend to disagree about whether they exist or not. In most animals, the organ used to process and act on these chemical signals is called the "Vomeronasal Organ" (VNO).
The main source of skepticism is because when it is observed in normal human anatomy, it appears to be atrophied, or non-functional. Most scientists believe it is an archaic, non-functional organ with minimal use to the modern human. It should be noted however that pheromones are a relatively new area of study, and is always advancing.
As for pheromone colognes and perfumes on the market, there have been studies done on specific pheromones such androstadienone, androstenone, androsterone, and androstenol.
They all appear to have certain physiological reactions, such as increasing cortisol levels, skin temperature, and the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
There was also a study done on how body odors changed depending on emotional states. Groups of people were placed in situations that provoked anxiety or other stressful feelings, e.g., watching fear-inducing film clips resulted in a change of their body odor.
These body odors were different from those collected when the same individuals were exposed to comedic or "happier" content.
The studies are valid - however, often there are marketers and certain types of companies that will try to overstate the capability of what pheromones can do. Companies like Pherazone, for example. They will make unrealistic claims and twist the science to fit their agenda, which is another reason many people remain skeptical of the products. Pheromones are a natural part of being human, and perhaps pheromone colognes and perfumes are just a way to make fast money.
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